Getting Around Brisbane

Brisbane is a well-designed, compact city, so it’s easy to get around via scenic river and bridge walking tracks, driving routes, and the city-wide network of public transport options.

Brisbane public transport

Public transport in Brisbane is made up of a comprehensive network of train, bus, and ferry services, as well as the Airtrain service connecting Brisbane Airport with the city – making getting around Brisbane relatively hassle-free.

The Brisbane public transport system uses the TransLink go card, which can be used to travel by bus, ferry (CityCat), or train anywhere in Brisbane and south-east Queensland. You can buy a TransLink go card from QR (Queensland Rail) stations, over the phone, online, or from TransLink go card retailers. Once you have a card, you can top it up like you would a prepaid sim.

There are also free inner-city bus services operating within the city and Spring Hill, arriving every 10 minutes between 7am and 6pm on weekdays.

To help plan your public transport trip around Brisbane, take a look at the TransLink website.

Taxis can also be used to get around the city – simply flag one down in the CBD area, or you can book ahead by calling 13 32 22 or visiting https://www.blackandwhitecabs.com.au/. Eco-friendly Green Cabs are available during weekends and special events, and rideshare service Uber [GK1] is also available in most areas – you’ll need to download the app to book a ride.

Driving in Brisbane

Brisbane is well-connected by several freeways, including the Pacific Motorway, the Ipswich Motorway, Western Freeway and the Centenary Freeway. The Bruce Highway is Brisbane’s main route north of the city to the rest of Queensland.

There are also many recently built tunnels connecting Brisbane, which makes it easy to get around the city and surrounding suburbs by car. Toll roads include:

  • The Gateway Motorway
  • The Logan Motorway
  • Clem Jones (CLEM7 tunnel)
  • Go Between Bridge
  • Legacy Way
  • Airport LinkM7

Toll roads are completely electronic, so you’ll need to open an account or buy a pass if you plan on driving your own car. If you forget to buy a pass before travelling, you can purchase one within three days of driving[GK2] .

Getting a QLD driver’s licence

When moving to Brisbane on a work or other temporary visa, you can drive in Queensland with a valid current overseas licence or international licence. If you’re moving to Brisbane as a permanent resident, you can drive on a current overseas licence for up to three months after arriving in Australia at which point you’ll need to transfer to a QLD licence.

To transfer to a QLD licence, you’ll need to visit a Transport and Main Roads service centre and:

·       Complete the driver licence application

·       Bring your overseas driver’s licence and a recognised English translation (if needed)

·       Bring your evidence of identity documents, including proof that you live in Queensland

·       Declare that you are medically fit to drive the class of vehicle (you may need to provide a medical certificate that states that you are medically fit to drive)

·       Pay the licence fee

Hire cars in Brisbane

Hiring a car in Brisbane is a convenient way to get around the city and surrounding areas if you don’t plan on driving very frequently. Some of the most common rental car companies in Brisbane include:

Thrifty Car & Truck Rental

Budget

Hertz

You can also compare prices at VroomVroomVroom.

If you need to drive semi-regularly but don’t want the hassle of having your own car, the GoGet car share service is a great alternative to rental cars. You’ll find cars parked around Brisbane that can be used by anyone with a GoGet membership, and cars can be booked via the GoGet website or app.